dodgereric’s kid: Wait a minute. I know you. You’re Juan Pierre. You play baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Pierre: I’m sorry son, but you must have me confused with someone else. My name is Roger Murdock. I’m the co-pilot.

dodgereric’s kid: You are Pierre. I’ve seen you play. My dad’s got season tickets.

Pierre: I think you should go back to your seat now. Right Joe?

Joe Torre: Nahhhhhh, he’s not bothering anyone, let him stay here.

Pierre: But just remember, my name is ROGER MURDOCK. I’m an airline pilot.

dodgereric’s kid: I think you’re the greatest, but my dad says you don’t get on base enough for a leadoff hitter. He says that for a guy who is famous for bunting that you’re the worst bunter he’s ever seen. He says that you couldn’t throw out my grandmother trying to score from second on a one-hopper to you out there in left field. He also says you can’t get a jump off left-handers when it’s time to steal second.

Pierre: The hell I don’t. LISTEN KID. I’ve been hearing that crap ever since I got here. I’m out there busting my buns every night. Tell your old man to drag his fat butt out there for 162 games.

Joe: They say we’re old and we can’t see
Anything good about walks or OBP.
Juan: Well I don’t care if all that’s true
‘Cause you got me, and baby I got you
Juan: Babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe

Joe: They say our love won’t win no games
But I don’t care if we go down in flames.
Juan: I guess that’s so, I don’t care either
as long as I get to start instead of Ethier

Juan: Babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe

Juan: I got 8….point 8 mil, and I put you…. in my will.
Joe: And when I’m sad, you’re a clown
And if I get scared, you’re always around
Joe: So let them say your hat’s too big
‘Cause I don’t care, let them call me pig
Juan: Then put your little hand in mine
There ain’t no hill or mountain we can’t climb

Juan: Babe
Both: I got you babe I got you babe

Juan: I got you to write my name
Joe: I got you to lead the game
Juan: I got you to pull up my socks
Joe: I got you to take me on walks

man i really hope Nomar isn’t hurt bad!! he’s missed A LOT of games already this season and i personally like seeing him in the short stop position! and i’m SO HAPPY Andre is playing tonight!! i’m going to the game and i was really hoping he would be in tonights line up!! i hate seeing him on the bench!! he’s got way to much talent to be benched!!

good evening mis amigos. I was reading josh’s post and hoping Nomar is ok and that we’d take the Giants tonight. Then I remembered that I will be there tonight..I am such a nerd. The sun at yesterday’s game really fried my brain. I feel so sick and de- energized. It was a great game, but it killed my spirit 😦
I am not in my right mind tonight.
.
On that note- I hope Kuroda does better. I was at his last home start and he underwhelmed me by a lot. He is so hot and cold. I hope I see the Hot Kuroda tonight.
.
I am happy we are back at .500. Lets gain a game one by one.

CP – Nope – it’s all encryted. The fact that we will both have songs will be great anyway. We will both bring our version with our own touches, and he will love it. Ethier (either) that or like scott says, he will think we are lunatics. Seriously, from his blog, he has a great sense of humor,and I am sure we are not the first middle-aged “stalker chicks” he has had to deal with. He appears to be the type that will love it and really appreciate it.

Andre hit a homerun off Sanchez at AT&T part at the farthest point, but you are probably right, Scurtis, because to Torre it’s a feeling thing and not about the stats- what an idiot!! He benched him against Saunders after hitting a homerun off him too – a lefty, mind you. Not to mention the pitcher in Houston who was a lefty and that homerun was 438ft. But, your right Scurtis, Andre will be benched when Sanchez pitches.

Hey Wally! How have you been? You must have had a busy day, son. I’m glad you got a chance to stop by and say “hi” to your brother. He was busy today too, but he missed you something awful. Beav is a strange little guy, but he has made us laugh all day, along with your father, of course.

Alot of good comments.
Good job on the songs Obi and Beav.
You all pretty much echo my sentiments on the current state of affairs of our Dodgers. So I don’t feel the need to reiterate them. I am ready to let Ned’s little plan play out.
He acquired the vets to keep us competitive and bridge the gap while the young kids grow. Well, its sink or swim time.
Time for Ned’s PVL’s to get it done. Kent, Nomar, Phew, etc…. Let’s see how it plays out. I just don’t want him to make any more ill advised, knee jerk moves/trades. Ned, you’ve already made your bed, now lie in it.

Hey rodmky – I read that article this morning. He made a lot of great points that all of us have been saying all along. However, maybe he has he voice to get through somehow. One could hope.
.
jhall – know exactly what you mean – just wait and watch is all we can do now 🙂

Don’t you think that NED is going to get **** (probably Jack Wilson) now that Nomar is hurt again?? I hope not but I think he will implode if he doesn’t do SOMETHING or even ANYTHING!! LOL It’s not in his nature to sit tight and watch the kids play.

I’ve made bad trades too many times,
I think that they don’t mean much any more.
Fine times have gone and left my sad home,
friends who once cared just walk out my door.

I have no pride when I call out your name.
I have no pride when there’s no one left to blame.
I’d give anything if you’d hit again.

Frank’s seen you play too many nights
to think that you could come back again.
But I’ve heard you say: “I can still play.”
But you strike out so much, I don’t care what you say.

I have no pride when I call out your name.
I have no pride when there’s no one left to blame.
I’d give anything if you’d hit again.

If I could buy you out, I’d truly try my friend.
And if I could pray, my prayer would never end.
But if you want me to beg, I’ll fall down on my knees;
asking for you to play good…
I’d be pleading for you to hit good…
beggin’ for you to be Andruw Jones.

I have no pride when I call out your name.
I have no pride when there’s no one left to blame.
I’d give anything if you’d hit again.

attended yesterday’s game and had a good view from the KABC luxury box (I know someone who got me the tickets). I hope this is the first of many wins for Kershaw in a Dodger uniform. I know this victory came against a bad team but every time he pitches he will learn something. My wife picked up a Clayton Kershaw autographed ball at the Dodger Dream Foundation silent auction the Dodgers hold at the staduim during games. I am willing to take the chance that he will become a star someday.

I could tell right away that Nomar hurt himself on the tag at third. Sweeny would have hit for Nomar in the bottom of the inning had the inning gone that far. I was in attendance the last time Nomar hurt himself earlier this season. I like Nomar and he was doing a good job in the field and at the plate so I hope this is not serious. Also, I like Jeff Kent too and right now he is hitting the ball hard but right at people. Still, it is clear to me he is missing balls he used to crush and someone already mentioned warning track power without refering to him but he definitely shows signs of this.

Eric, great takeoff from one of my all time favorite movies and one of my all time favorite movie moments.

I am behind the team 100%, sink or swim. Ned has made his moves and put the PVL’s in place. It is time for them to get it done or go home. We need Kent to hit one of his hot streaks down the stretch and Phew to perform at his 2003 level to win this. Nomar is doing fine when he is healthy. We know good and well that Joe is going to lead off Phew, bat Kent clean up, and go with the veterans. That’s fine. That is our lot. Now its time for them to get it done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dad – I love that Airplane movie. I don’t care that its about 30 years old and I’ve seen it a bazillion times, I’ll still run across it and just watch for a couple minutes – usually till its over. Howard Jarvis – what an actor!!

[Randy is crying]
Rumack: Randy, are you all right?
Randy: Oh, Dr. Rumack, I’m scared. I’ve never been so scared. And besides, I’m 26 and I’m not married.
Rumack: We’re going to make it, you’ve got to believe that.
[a woman passenger comes in]
Mrs. Hammen: Dr. Rumack, do you have any idea when we’ll be landing?
Rumack: Pretty soon, how are you bearing up?
Mrs. Hammen: Well, to be honest, I’ve never been so scared. But at least I have a husband.
[Randy cries harder]

The last thing he said to me, doc, he said, “Sometime when the crew is up against it, the breaks are beating the boys, tell them to get out there and give it all they got and win just one for the Zipper. I don’t know where I’ll be then doc, he said, but I won’t smell too good, that’s for sure.

jhall, lets hope you are right and Hu or DeJesus gets the nod!
I also could tell that Nomar got hurt when it happened. I told my wife “Nomar is hurt” and she said how could you tell!! LOL Long story short, he got hurt. Lets hope he is OK because I was enjoying his resurgence as well.

Randy: Can I get you something?
Second Jive Dude: ‘S’**** butter layin’ me to da’ BONE! Jackin’ me up… tight me!
Randy: I’m sorry, I don’t understand.
First Jive Dude: Cutty say ‘e can’t HANG!
Jive Lady: Oh stewardess! I speak jive.
Randy: Oh, good.
Jive Lady: He said that he’s in great pain and he wants to know if you can help him.
Randy: All right. Would you tell him to just relax and I’ll be back as soon as I can with some medicine?
Jive Lady: Jus’ hang loose, blood. She gonna catch ya up on da’ rebound on da’ med side.
Second Jive Dude: What it is, big mama? My mama no raise no dummies. I dug her rap!
Jive Lady: Cut me some slack, Jack! Chump don’ want no help, chump don’t GET da’ help!
First Jive Dude: Say ‘e can’t hang, say seven up!
Jive Lady: Jive *** dude don’t got no brains anyhow! Hmmph!

I am behind the team 100%, sink or swim. Ned has made his moves and put the PVL’s in place. It is time for them to get it done or go home. We need Kent to hit one of his hot streaks down the stretch and Phew to perform at his 2003 level to win this. Nomar is doing fine when he is healthy. We know good and well that Joe is going to lead off Phew, bat Kent clean up, and go with the veterans. That’s fine. That is our lot. Now its time for them to get it done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Being so far away from the action and limited to what I can find on the internet I hope I’m not repeating what others may have already pointed out but this article I found ..http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200…ake/index.html

…. really does highlight a lot of what ordinary fans have been saying/writing for some time. If sports writers from all over the USA can see the folly of what our FO does why then do I never read anything from the LA writers except “fluff pieces” issued by the Josh ands his staff?

No offense, but what the hell would we do with Manny? He’s 36, begun and is into his downslide, and can’t field, not to mention his attitude. They can have Phew and Cow. Anyone else, forget it. His numbers aren’t much better than Kemp’s, and he plays in a bandbox.

I gotta go to a meeting. It’s usually better anyway when I’m not in the house during these games, if you know what I mean. I will be back about the 4th inning perhaps, and I hope we are winning at that point. Have a fun game, and I will catch up to you all later ~ Bye
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GO DODGERS!!! ANDRE, RUSSELL, JAMES AND MATT – YOU SHOW THEM WHAT THE YOUNG GUNS ARE MADE OF BOYS!!!! KICK SOME GIANT BUTT TONIGHT!!!!

I’m glad to see Andre in the lineup again tonight. Though I’d like to see him bat higher, I’ll take it. I have a feeling he’s going to have a great night tonight. Hope Nomar is back in the lineup soon. It scares me to think what Ned might do in a panic if he’s going to be gone for more than a game or two.

did someone post this already? i haven’t read all the posts yet.. it’s from the PE blog..

– Nomar Garciaparra needed to undergo an MRI exam on his left knee, and results were not immediately available. The Dodgers have a renewed interest in Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson, but don’t count out Rafael Furcal returning in September. He’s currently rehabbing at Athletes’ Performance Institute in Arizona.

– Brad Penny will make a rehabilitation start on Wednesday for Class A Inland Empire, and if all goes well will follow that up with one for Class AAA Las Vegas on Monday. He could return by the Giants series on the next road trip.

Can’t tell ya Rod. Baffles me too. Its like they’ve all been brainwashed and are in the Torre/Ned cult.

Could also be the fact that L.A. sportswriters are lazy and less critical compared to their eastern counterparts. Much easier to sit on their butt and relate what’s spoonfed to them than to actually do a little honest evaluation and journalism.

Do you think local sportswriters are less inclined to be really critical least they lose access? Remember what happened when one actually asked Joe a direct question and all he got was a sarcastic reply? T.J.Simers is the one local writer who is not afraid to ask tough questions but all he really wants to do is get under the skin of his subjects making himself not too popular with the players. My problem with him is he does not seem to care so much for the answers as real insight into anything but for the enjoyment he gets out of making some squirm.

The 31-year-old Jones, who signed a two-year, $36-million contract to anchor the Dodgers’ outfield and provide power in the middle of the lineup, started the game on the bench, relegated to being the fourth outfielder that morning by Manager Joe Torre.

Jones and his .166 batting average will presumably be on the bench tonight when the Dodgers (52-52) play host to the San Francisco Giants in the first game of a three-game series, and they’ll stay there until further notice.

“Right now, we’re going to go with the hot hands,” Torre said.

That would be Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Juan Pierre, who returned Friday from a sprained knee ligament.

“If those guys stay hot, those are the guys that are going to play,” Torre said. “We’re at a time of the year when wins are important for us.”

Translation: The Dodgers, who are trying to overtake the Diamondbacks for the division lead, can’t wait any longer for Jones to start hitting.

Exceptions could be made when the Dodgers face a left-hander, as will be the case Wednesday when Jonathan Sanchez takes the mound for the Giants.

Jones, who has two home runs and 12 runs batted in in 187 at-bats, said Torre spoke to him and that he understood the manager’s reasoning.

The five-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove Award winner said that he wasn’t exactly sure of what he could do to extract himself from this situation other than to continue working with hitting coaches Don Mattingly and Jeff Pentland.

The Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox did reach out to the Dodgers about Manny Ramirez, but talks didn’t go anywhere.
The only way the Dodgers would take him if if Boston would accept Andruw Jones in return. Both the Mets and Phillies appear completely uninterested, so a Manny deal appears highly unlikely.

lbirken – I really don’t know much about a teams right to limit access to a reporter if they don’t like his/her questions in America but it does come across to me that reporters from other regions do tend to be more insightful in their reporting on the Dodgers than the local LA media. As for Simmers I read him as a satirical columnist not a sports writer per sae.

Rod, I can’t believe the local writers don’t see what others see, so I have to believe they are less critical for some other reason. I understand why Josh says the things he does; he works for the Dodgers.

looking at pierre’s stats as a leadoff hitter, his 0BP is at .296. how horrible is this number. consider this. andruw has about 20 plate appearances less than pierre has at leadoff. if you equalize them, pierre has gotten on base only about 6 times more than andruw over the course of this season. six times! that’s it. we can all agree that andruw has been absolutely terrible this year. if pierre has only gotten base six more times than andruw, how can pierre’s season as a leadoff hitter be anything but horrible as well? how can torre consider pierre a good leadoff hitter when he has gotten on base only 6 times more than andruw with the same amount of plate appearances. it’s madness!

Good, get Kuroda out of there, He’s stinking up the place. This team is not playing like they want to win anything. They are playing like losers tonight. No life, no fire, no enthusiasm. The way we’re hitting we won’t come back in this game. Screw this, I’m going to bed.

I know it hurts to have to admit this but we’re really not a very good team. Our record speaks for itself. My big hope is that Ned doesn’t do anything stupid like trading for another weak hitting vet and we can build on our youth movement next year.

Rememmber the good old days. Pierre had a .360OBP. Now it’s even lower than last years of .331 at .327. .294 from leadoff. Kent is killing us with an OPS over 150 less than his career avg. Berrora hits as bad as Jones. No were not very good.

not to beat a dead horse (well, it ain’t dead because joe keeps trotting him out there to bat leadoff), but did anyone read the article in the times (i think) where t hey asked pierre if he thought the dodgers fans had accepted him? he said yeah, and that he wasn’t going to change anything he was doing, he was going to continue to play his game. LOL, i.e., don’t take pitches, don’t walk, hit weak fly balls and ugly comebackers to the pitcher, but, continue to steal bases so that joe will continue to pencil him in as the leadoff hitter, because, well, “he knows how to bat leadoff.” LOL. it hurts, but the only thing i can do is laugh. BTW, did anyone also notice that pierre did no running in the washington series? i gotta believe his knee is not 100% which means his only measurable asset, speed, is not there. this IS madness.

Berroa is actually starting to stroke the ball a bit better. Hope he can keep it up when he gets the chance to play. Sweeney comes through and Pierre gets on. Will wonders never cease. We’re actually back in the game and showing some life. Keep it up guys! At least we’re not going to make another 5 plus era pitcher look like a Cy Young winner.

Yes, we have Erica. I know we’ve all been saying it for a while, but Kent should not be batting clean up. I have total respect for his career accomplishments and I’m not saying he shouldn’t be in the lineup, he just should not be batting clean up. We need more production from that spot.

The problem with the Dodgers is MANAGEMENT. Their stupid acquisitions and lineups have demoralized the team and devastated the team chemistry that was prevalent among the young players. Instead of building up that chemistry, Torre is continually making decisions and saying things that deflate it. And the way Ned and Torre treat the young players is pathetic. They are always on the edge of being benched, sent down, or traded. If management had said at the beginning of the season we are going with the young guys and stuck with a set lineup, things would be a lot different. But when all we hear about is how good veterans are and how many mistakes the kids are making, how can that create a winning atmosphere? Then you add in stupid trades like the Blake rent a player at the high cost of promising talent and blocking LaRoche again, and nobody should be surprised at the way it affects the team. Until things change, MANAGEMENT DESERVES TO LOSE…. and that may be the best thing that could happen to the Dodgers because ultimately Frank has to see that he’s got the wrong leadership in place.

Okay – I get in my car to come home to hear Jon Miller tell me the Gnats are winning 7-0, and by the time I get home and trying to get on here, it now becomes a 7-5 game. That is a good sign. If you get the their bullpen, we should be okay as long as we keep hitting the ball. My son and husband now this to be fact, too, and they are the gnat fans. They also just informed Andre was scratching his nose with his bat – (too funny), and that the catch he made was not a trap,and that it was caught. Even Jon Miller said it was a catch according to my family. Keep faith and Go Dodgers!!

Eric, is that supposed to mean something, or did I miss a Ward, Wally and Beav moment? Or, are the cat and dog that excited about seeing Jones and Sweeney both get a hit they couldn’t control themselves? LOL!!!

This should have been a rebuilding year from the start. Because JoJo and the Nedster’s refusal to accept that situation, what has resulted is a series of bewildering, nonsensical, and schizophrenic personnel moves that views like a movie that doesn’t know whether it wants to be a comedy or a drama. What we do know, however, is that it’s turned into a pathetic joke. My big fear is, in the next 3 days, is that Ned, desperate to save his job, will try to make some deal to get what will be, essentially, one first-round home playoff game, sacrificing the future in the process. The die has been cast by this management team and, unfortunately, being the diehard Dodger fans that we are, we are going to all have to watch this scenario play itself out and hope for the best.

Nelly–YAY!!!!!! Are they not the best damn dogs on earth? My baby wouldn’t hurt a fly. Well, maybe a fly but not much else…lol.
She wears her dodger collar with pride! If she knew what was going on half the time I bet she’d be even more animated as my husband and I. LOL.

Dang man…Kent has lost center and opposite field power. He only hits it out if he pulls the ball.

Foul language I would guess he was not yelling. But normally when the coach comes out he will get tossed. Blake should have kept his mouth shut but tossing him for saying things in the dugout is stupid.

biddy, Blake tried to hold up on strike three and failed (looked to me like he went too far). He got rung up by the same ump earlier in the game for the same thing. That time he didn’t argue much.

This time he was more emotional, but walked into the dugout. That pompus ump tossed him from the other side of the field. They had a camera on him while Blake yelled a bad word. He was waiting and watching for it. The instant he got it, he tossed Blake. What a load.

Sweeney and Jones may have helped their confidence but if the Dodgers lose this game what they did means nothing, and that would be a shame, not to mention what it might do to Eric. Jones will get another shot in the bottom of the 9th.

Geez! Thanks for the visual! I swear I will upgrade the directv soon and buy a tv for my room! 🙂 I didn’t think it was possible to be tossed from within the dug out! Blake must have caught him on a bad day.

Nah, I’ve been saying for the last few years that there are too many umpires that seek the confrontations. Instead of walking away they go for it, like people pay to see them work instead of the players. All this idiot had to do was to not look in the dugout. Granted, Blake should probably have controlled himself a little better considering we’re shorthanded, but the ump didn’t have to be hoping Blake would yell at him.

7-0, 7-6, it is still a loss and another missed opportunity. At least it was an interesting game. Of course this means going to be unhappy and having to read about it in the morning. This has been fun. Good night (or good afternoon to Rod).

The Dodgers continue to look everywhere for a shortstop, and tons of names have come up in connection with their search. They don’t seem likely to land the Pirates’ Jack Wilson, but they’re scouring other organizations for options, having touched base with Toronto about John McDonald, the Yankees about Alberto Gonzales, the Twins about Adam Everett and even the Rangers about Michael Young, though it’s unclear whether or why Young would be available. Guess it never hurts to ask

—
Nomar Garciaparra was found to have a sprained MCL in his left knee and will miss at least a few days.
The Dodgers have no immediate plans to put him on the DL, but it’d be no surprise to see him land there eventually. If it happens, they’d probably bring back Andy LaRoche

Nelly- Mark it down. I guarantee Old Man Joe starts Andruw tomorrow night. The guy is a changed man because he was able to swing a single! Ethier is screwed because big boy Andruw scored himself a rare RBI.

We’re not a really good team, rod. But we’re not that bad either. Therefore, .500. There’s not much consistency, especially the starters.

I know of the old saying, “Winners celebrate and losers blame the umps”. But we got jobbed bigtime by the blues. Forgetting the Blake incidents, Ethier caught that ball in right that was ruled a trap. That cost a run. The play at the plate was very close, from the angle the home plate ump had, he probably should have called him out. Martin’s glove beat the runner to the plate. The catcher usually will get that call. That cost a run. Berroa’s barehanded play could have gone either way as well, but these guys almost always get that one right on the replay no matter how they look live. At least we showed some life.

Yes, edwcarter, I wouldn’t doubt it for a second. I have to admit, I wish for him and Pierre to strikeout/groundout because I believe they shouldn’t be out there. I believe Andre deserves to be out there, and the only way he will play at this point is if Andruw keeps being Andruw. I know Pierre’s position won’t change unless he is injured so I have to hope for Andruw’s demise so the right person will be on the field, who should be on the field in the first place.

eric – however, Sanchez, who pitches on Wednesday, is a southpaw, but Andre hit a homerun off him, but he will sit for that. I have no idea what Joe will do at this point. It’s a day by day thing with him. I mentioned this idea earlier for Jones to come in for Pierre late in the game, and it worked, so maybe, just maybe he will continue that. Yeah right!!! What am I thinking – it’s Joe we are talking about.

Torre hasn’t looked at Andre’s stats all year. Why would he look at them now. He’s been sat on many games where he did well against a certain pitcher. There was one pitcher (I forget the name) that was happy he wasn’t in the lineup because Andre had his number throughout his career. For Torre, it’s a feeling thing – stats don’t seem to matter.

Beliefs/feelings – the philosophy still sucks!!! LOL!!! Of course Andruw and Sweeney will be the headlines tomorrow. I didn’t see the first 4 and half innings, but I’m sure it was the vets fault for anything. I am assuming it was pitching, at least that’s what my husband said.

Kuroda wasn’t fooling anyone but everything was hit in the gaps in that one inning. There was more than the umpires in this one. Kent showed his age on a grounder up the middle. Shoulda had it. Kuroda or Martin screwed up on a dribbler. Kuroda had no play at second but threw it there anyway. I haven’t seen it explained anywhere yet. Martin should have been screaming “ONE! ONE!” at him. The damned pitcher hit a 2-run single.

eric – You know I want the best players out there, Andre or not. If he were playing horribly, then I would expect him to be benched, but he’s not so he shouldn’t be. I truthfully don’t want JP or Jones out there, but I know that’s not going to happen, and I will live with it. On the days Andre isn’t in the lineup, I cheer for Russell, James and Matt instead. I have actually enjoyed watching Casey play these last few days, but I liked watching him when he played with the Indians too. It’s still strange watching him in Dodger blue.

The Dodgers’ pursuit of a shortstop before Thursday’s non-waiver trading deadline could intensify after an MRI exam Monday on Nomar Garciaparra’s left knee revealed a minor sprain of his medial collateral ligament.

Similar injuries typically sideline players for about two weeks, meaning the shortstop could be headed for the disabled list for the third time this season. Garciaparra is expected to rest the next few days, progressing to baseball activities as tolerated, according to a club spokesman.

Well, I am glad we are not looking into Manny or Tex. I wouldn’t mind Tex, but not when we have Loney. Loney is the future. As far as shortstop, I’m would like them (whoever them is) to trust their farm system and bring somebody up. That would be something I would just like them to try. Hu or DeJesus – pick one, I don’t care, and just try it, they might like what they see.

Hey, thanks for asking about my second favorite sport! My guy Jimmie Johnson managed to win the race yesterday despite a horrible day for tire wear. When NASCAR is racing and the Dodgers are playing, I’m a bit incommunicado in the household. I’ve got the TV rocking back and forth between the events and the laptop as well. I get the race on the computer, listening to Johnson’s in-car communications between him and his crew and spotters. It’s tre-cool!

I’m busy right now writing up the results for the fantasy league that I run. If you want, I’ll email the newsletter to you. I have a lot of fun with it.

Amen on the thoughts to PierreEMW. I’m sure he’s fine and will be back with us as soon as he’s feeling better.

Good Morning ITD writers and readers
Last night’s game didn’t have the result I was looking for, but most to the Giants’ damage came when I was not home, so it was more of a matter of if the Dodgers were going to come back and win. It was a good effort, but a loss nonetheless. I guess we can thank the Padres for actually winning a game, and we can the thank the Rox for actually losing finallly. I still think the Rockies are the team we should be worried about. The Dodgers and Dbacks are going to be playing I win, you win, I lose, you lose, and the Rox are just going to keep winning and knock us both out just like they did last year. They have even taken Holliday and Fuentes off the trade rumor block. I guess it’s just a waiting game to see what the Dodgers will do.

Good morning eric!! I must have fallen on you between 12 and 1 and then I got up again, and you were probably asleep. I was googling Ethier’s name last night to find articles and I came across some personal information (His official My Space Site), and you will be glad to know that he is a HUGE (and he used caps) NASCAR fan, and he wants to meet Jeff Gordon someday. He also likes camping and fishing and one of his favorite movies is “Lord of the Rings”
And for CP – He is of French and Mexican descent. And no, I didn’t comment on his “my Space.” That to me is going too far because I feel that is his personal space. His mlblog is tied to him being a baseball player and not his personal space. I may be a lunatic “Super Fan”, but I also respect his privacy as a person.

Good Morning, jhall/Wally!!!
I unfortunately didn’t see the Kuroda implosion, but I did see us try to come back and win, but to lose anyway. I think Jones and Sweeney both get a hit in the same night was bizarre to say the least, and I am sure the highlight of ever news article. I haven’t looked into it too much, but I see Andruw is all over the home page.
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eric/Ward – let’s hope so about the Rox 🙂

Good morning, Wally! Yeah, Kuroda seems to be either Christy Mathewson or Christina Mathewson, doesn’t he? No offense ladies…………

Wow, sounds like I need to be buds with Either too! Gordon is the ‘owner’ of Johnson’s car (technically) and he’s a classy guy as well. I’m not into fishing but I sure do my share of camping. I could even invite him over to the house for this year’s Lord Of The Rings Day in December! Uh oh, man-crush coming on!

eric – I thought you would like the “Lord of the Rings” thing because of your “Lord of the Rings” day.
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jhall – Last night when Sweeney and Jones got their hit, eric lost all touch with reality. As he says, his moral compass was a screwed up. It was too funny!

Gee our team is disappointing on so many levels…
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Nice try for a comback, but no hits after the 6th isn’t going to get it done, which is precisely why this team won’t make it to the playoffs – not enough depth off the bench (a pair of miraculous hits by the two worst PVLs notwithstanding.)
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Sweeney’s hit will only serve to justify JoJo using him at every opportunity now. He can go 0 for his next 20, but JoJo will point to one success and use that as the rule rather than the exception. Same with Cow.
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JP’s OBP since he came back is .313 for those of you that care (which obviously leaves out JoJo and Nerd.)
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I’m of the opinion that Kuroda’s arm is bothering him again. That’s 3 stinky starts in a row after a couple of great games.
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And now with Nomore down AGAIN, I’m sure Nerd will do something stupid. Its just like the perfect storm: We have a chance at winning the west even though we’re mediocre, Ned and JoJo can’t stand youth so Hu/De Jesus is out of the question, and Ned’s trying to save his job.

At the end of the year when we finish 3rd behind a division winner that wins only 85-86 games, Ned’s head may roll, but the truth is JoJo was brought in here to win, and all he’s done is make a mess of things. Old Joe is as much of the problem as Ned, and needs to be canned right along side of him or we’ll have the same results in ’09 as this year.

June, are you talking about Christy Mathewson? He was one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He pitched for the New York Giants 100 years ago. A real rarity for the time, he was college-educated and renowned for his gentlemanly ways. Extremely popular with the fans, he was serving in WWI when he was accidentally gassed in a training exercise and never quite recovered. He died at an early age (early 40s?). One of the original 5 members of the Hall of Fame. Christina Mathewson I just made up. 🙂

My apologies to the Great Mark Sweeney as I see he managed to make contact last night with a timely hit. Unfortunately, if I’m reading the tea leaves correctly, I’m guessing no Ethier for Wednesday, right? Good ol’ JP doing his 1-4 thing as expected. No walks. And with Nomore hurt again, look for LaRoche to hit 30 HR for someone else next season as Ned & Joe trade him for an average SS.

Scott – some are thinking Ethier will sit today because Jones actually got a hit last night, but I don’t know anymore. He hit a homerun off of Sanchez who is the pitcher for Wednesday, but I know none of that matters to Torre, so I really don’t know what’s going to happen, then do any of us, really? We may have a new outfielder or short stop by tonight’s game, anyhow. We really are clueless when it comes to Ned and Joe’s mind right now, other than being Vet hungry. At this point, anything goes with these two, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least, pissed yes, but certainly not surprised.

Can someone please explain to me why fearless (hapless?, helpless?) Jason Johnson gets into the rotation while Chan Ho, probably the biggest surprise (in a good way) this year, and who’s turned in some impressive starts, comes out of the bullpen? It seems to me that down the stretch you’d want your best starters going as often as possible, and JJ is probably the epitome of a long reliever (if that.) Say what we will (and did) about Grady Little, I’d take him back in a heartbeat over JoJo.

Morning scott! I’m not ready to apologize to Sweeney yet. His average is above the Sweeney Line again but he’s only another 0 for 5 from sinking below it.

June, anything you want to know about baseball from 1900 thru 1930, let me know. If there’s anything to reincarnation, I was either a player or a fan from that era. I have an uneasy affection for it. When I was still in school, I’d schedule a 3 hour break in the week just to go into the library and look up stories on Mathewson, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, Tris Speaker, Rogers Hornsby, all those guys. I had read of them for years, but I wanted to read stories written by people who had actually seen them play. I started making copies of those stories and then took them home and typed them up. This was 1972-73, so it was pretty labor-intensive. I put them in a 3-ring binder, which I have to this day. Those pictures I sent you for your class were in that binder.

e, Chan Ho continues to come out of the pen because Joe likes him out of the pen. He probably has memories of him starting in Texas and pummeling him. Joe don’t know stats. I think I heard Vin say that Colorado is 10 – 1 at home against lefty starters. So naturally we started Stults and Kershaw there. He’s an idiot, pure and simple. I was so happy when the Dodgers signed him that I didn’t much care about the horrid way we dumped Grady. Stupid me.

Wow!! eric – that’s very impressive to say the least. I really want to work on a timeline for the classroom. I got a really good idea from Steve Garvey to use in the classroom of how to incorporate all the ballparks into the school year. So, that with a timeline, would be fantastic!! I will definitely look to you for guidance on that. Thank you eric!!!

Good morning. I haven’t read all of your comments today, so I hope I’m not repeating too much.
I was at the game last night and here are my thoughts.
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Yes–everyone here knows, but I was sitting right next to Andre last night (farther out than I like to sit) I saw the catch up close. It was in his glove the entire time!!!! It sucked cause we needed to end that inning right there. Dnel- that pic of Andre and Matt in the gallery- beautiful 🙂
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I must be bad luck. Every single time I’ve seen Kuroda pitch, he is terrible. I’ve never been to one of his “brilliant” games. That’s too bad.
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I was thinking about you all last night when we had the rally of, Berroa, Jones, and Sweeny getting hits. What a crazy thing to see! I was telling my non-Dodger friends at the game how bad they were and I was showing them their stats on the board, and then they all hit. I wonder what all of your comments where last night.
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I am happy with this 4 man out field rotation that Joe is practicing. It protects Matt and Andre as starters, Juan gets to start too and I am ok with him leaving in the 7th so Andruw can get some playing time. It’s working out I feel.
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It was a heartbreaking loss. The game was so boring in the begining when they retired us in order 1-9. That sucked!!! But then we rallied and I thought we could pull it off.
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I hope you all like Joe getting thrown out. It showed that he backs up our players. It was a bogus call, he didn’t have a full swing. It was crazy when Blake came out and charged the Ump- I thought he was going to swing for a second. It was good to see some fire in the game, I hoped the boys would use it to win the game, but it didn’t work 😦
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Oh and one last thing- some fan jumped into the Giants dugout during the game. We watched him go over the wall. Security swarmed and they HOG TIED him and carried him out by his arms and legs. It was quite a strange thing to see!!!
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ok. long enough post. GO DODGERS. I will be there to cheer then on tonight!
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LOL!!! enchanted — too funny!!! you are right!! That brings back memories. Then again, that is why you are the Beav now – LOL!!!
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Amy – I am glad you got to sit by Andre, and yes, even my gnat fan family thought he caught the ball, and Andre doesn’t get much praise in this house other than me, which in itself is probably plenty – okay way too much at times. I even cheer when he doesn’t strikeout!!! I figure for him when he doesn’t strikeout, it’s usually a pretty good at bat – LOL!!!!!
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enchanted – still laughing!!! LOL!!!

Amy, that was pretty unusual last night with those guys getting hits. If I was you, I would have made sure I was wearing rubber soled shoes when the lightening strikes! Also, don’t get too happy about the 4 man OF until you see Andre starting every game.

Amy, that was pretty unusual last night with those guys getting hits. If I was you, I would have made sure I was wearing rubber soled shoes when the lightening strikes! Also, don’t get too happy about the 4 man OF until you see Andre starting every game.

I was at Saturday’s game. Right after the final out some knucklehead ran out into the outfield and started spinning in circles like he was Stevie Nicks. They hog-tied him, too. I was right at the base of the aisle where it meets the outfield wall, so I yelled, “DRAG HIM OUT BY HIS FEET!” They didn’t. I thought it was a good idea.

lol scott. I will be careful not to die at Dodger stadium. And NO, I wont get to comfortable with the OF situation- but at least for NOW I like that way it’s working!!!!
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Eric- mi amigo. Yea, my dad was also at a game this year when they hog tied a man too. What’s up with that? It was definetly a sight to see. in all of the years I’ve been going to that Stadium, I’ve never heard of this many people attempting to go onto the field.
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Denl- it was good, cause when they put Jones in, Matt was in right and I go to see him closer up 🙂 They kept showing a fan on the big screen who has a jersy that said Mrs. Ethier. I was thinking “too bad he’s the only ‘young guy’ who’s married”. It always good to see supporters though.

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